Deformable intraocular lens injecting apparatus with transverse hinged lens cartridge

ABSTRACT

A deformable intraocular lens injecting apparatus including a transverse hinged lens cartridge for allowing the lens cartridge to be opened and closed for loading the deformable intraocular lens into the lens cartridge. A preferred embodiment includes a lens cartridge including a lens holding portion connected to a nozzle portion. In this preferred embodiment, the lens holding portion includes a movable wall portion with a protrusion for folding the deformable intraocular lens into a lens delivery passageway of the lens cartridge when closing the movable wall portion.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/691,491,filed Aug. 2, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,295; and aContinuation-In-Part (CIP) of:

1) U.S. patent application entitled “Apparatus and Method for Preparingan Intraocular Lens for Insertion”, Ser. No. 08/649,433, filed May 17,1996; now abandoned;

2) U.S. patent application entitled “Deformable Intraocular LensInjecting Apparatus with Deformable Tip Plunger”, Ser. No. 08/570,564,filed Dec. 11, 1995; now U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,666;

3) U.S. patent application entitled “Transverse Hinged DeformableIntraocular Lens Injecting Apparatus”, Ser. No. 08/547,908, filed Oct.25, 1995; now U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,148;

4) U.S. patent application entitled “Transverse Hinged DeformableIntraocular Lens Injecting Apparatus”, Ser. No. 08/547,295, filed Oct.25, 1995; now U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,450;

5) U.S. patent application entitled “Deformable Intraocular LensInjection System, and Method Thereof”, Ser. No. 08/449,103, filed May24, 1995; now abandoned;

6) U.S. patent application entitled “Deformable Intraocular LensInjecting Device, Ser. No. 08/403,530, filed Mar. 14, 1995; nowabandoned;

7) U.S. patent application entitled “Deformable Intraocular LensInsertion System”, Ser. No. 08/401,523, filed Mar. 10, 1995; now U.S.Pat. No. 5,807,400;

8) U.S. patent application entitled “Deformable Intraocular LensInjection Systems and Methods of Use Thereof”, Ser. No. 08/368,792,filed Jan. 4, 1995; now pending;

9) U.S. patent application entitled “Disposable Intraocular LensInsertion System, Ser. No. 08/345,360, filed Nov. 18, 1994; nowabandoned;

10) U.S. patent application entitled “Intraocular Lens InsertionSystem”, Ser. No. 08/240,520, filed Jul. 19, 1994; now abandoned;

11) U.S. patent application entitled “Hingeless Cartridge for Insertionof a Deformable Intraocular Lens”, Ser. No. 08/196,855, filed Feb. 15,1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,886;

12) U.S. patent application entitled “Methods of Implantation of aDeformable Intraocular Lens, Ser. No. 08/195,717, filed Feb. 14, 1994;now abandoned; and

13) U.S. patent application entitled “Intraocular Lens InsertionSystem”, Ser. No. 07/953,251, filed Sep. 30, 1992, now abandoned, allfully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a deformable intraocular lens injectingapparatus including a transverse hinged closure for loading thedeformable intraocular lens into a lens delivery passageway of the lensinjecting apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the lens injectingapparatus includes a lens cartridge having a transverse hingedconfigured to open and close for loading the deformable intraocular lensinto a lens delivery passageway of the lens cartridge.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to surgical apparatus for theimplantation of a deformable intraocular lens into the eye. STAARSurgical Company of Monrovia, California developed the concept of usinga “shooter” type device for implanting a deformable intraocular lensinto the eye, and supplied such devices in the United States beginningaround 1986.

The STAAR “shooter” apparatus includes a separate lens injecting deviceand a separate one-piece hinged cartridge (i.e. a lens holding portionconnected to a nozzle portion) that can be assembled together foroperation. The hinged cartridge opens along a longitudinal axis to allowa deformable intraocular lens to be loaded in a flat configuration inthe two open halves of the lens delivery passageway. When the lenscartridge is closed, a lens delivery passageway is defined therein andthe deformable intraocular lens is folded about its center into a curvedfolded configuration inside the lens delivery passageway. The loadedlens cartridge is then assembled with the lens injecting device whichincludes a lens cartridge receiver and a movable plunger for forcing thedeformable intraocular lens along the lens delivery passageway into theeye.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved deformableintraocular lens injecting apparatus.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an improveddeformable intraocular lens injecting apparatus including an improvedlens cartridge.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a lens cartridgewhich is easy to load with a deformable intraocular lens.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a deformableintraocular lens injecting apparatus including a transverse hinged lenscartridge configured to open and close for loading the deformableintraocular lens into the lens cartridge.

A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a deformableintraocular lens injecting apparatus including a hinged lens cartridgeand a lens injecting device including a lens cartridge receiver and amovable plunger.

A sixth object of the present invention is to provide a deformableintraocular injecting apparatus including a lens cartridge having a lensholding portion connected to a nozzle portion, the lens holding portionincluding wall portions connected together by a transverse hinge andconfigured to be opened and closed for loading a deformable intraocularlens into the lens cartridge.

A seventh object of the present invention is to provide a deformableintraocular lens injecting apparatus including a lens cartridge having alens holding portion connected to a nozzle portion, the lens holdingportion including a movable wall portion connected to a stationary wallportion by a transverse hinge.

A eighth object of the present invention is to provide a deformableintraocular lens injecting apparatus including a lens cartridge having alens holding portion connected to a nozzle portion, the lens holdingportion including a movable wall portion connected to a stationary wallportion by a transverse hinge, and the movable wall portion including aprotrusion extending inwardly into the lens delivery passageway forfolding the deformable to intraocular lens into the lens deliverypassageway when closing the movable wall portion.

The present invention is directed to a lens injecting apparatus forimplanting a deformable intraocular lens into the eye. The lensinjecting apparatus is provided with a lens delivery passagewaytherethrough accessible by means of a transverse hinged closure.

In one preferred embodiment, the lens injecting apparatus is a one (1)piece or component arrangement (i.e. no lens cartridge). For example,the lens injecting apparatus comprises a housing with an injecting tipand a passageway provided therethrough, a movable plunger disposedwithin said housing, and a transverse hinged closure along the side ofthe housing to allow a deformable intraocular lens to be loaded throughan opening or window through the side of the housing into the lensdelivery passageway when the transverse hinged closure is opened, andseal the opening or window when the transverse hinged closure is closed.

In another preferred embodiment, the lens injecting apparatus is a two(2) piece or component arrangement, including 1) a lens injecting deviceincluding a lens cartridge receiver; and 2) a lens cartridge. Forexample, the lens injecting device comprises a housing, a lens cartridgereceiver provided at one end of the housing, and a movable plungerdisposed in the housing. The lens cartridge, for example, is a one (1)piece or component arrangement including a lens holding portion having atransverse hinged closure connected to a nozzle portion. Once adeformable intraocular lens is loaded into the lens cartridge, the lenscartridge is then loaded into the lens cartridge receiver of the lensinjecting device.

The transverse hinged closure arrangement utilized in the lens injectingapparatus according to the present invention orients the hingetransverse relative to the orientation of the lens delivery passageway.Specifically, the axis of the hinge is not parallel with thelongitudinal axis of the lens delivery passageway. Preferably, the axisof the hinge is set at forty-five (45) to ninety (90) degrees relativeto the longitudinal axis of the lens delivery passageway. An angle ofninety (90) degrees is most preferred, especially in embodiments wherethe transverse hinged closure is utilized for folding the deformableintraocular lens into the lens delivery passageway so that the portionof the transverse hinged closure contacting and forcing the deformableintraocular lens into the lens delivery passageway is aligned with thelens delivery passageway.

In a preferred embodiment, the lens delivery passageway is linear,however, curvilinear arrangements can be utilized. Further, the lensdelivery passageway may be contoured (e.g. include one or more grooves)for further folding the deformable intraocular lens as it is moved alongor through the lens delivery passageway. In addition, the lens deliverypassageway may taper inwardly in a direction of advancement of thedeformable intraocular lens through the lens delivery passageway.

Preferably, the transverse hinged closure is configured to substantiallyseal the lens delivery passageway when closed to prevent the deformableintraocular lens from escaping when the deformable intraocular lens isbeing forced through the lens delivery passageway.

In some embodiments, the transverse hinged closure provides little ornone compressive force on the deformable intraocular lens loaded intothe lens delivery passageway when the transverse hinged closure is fullyclosed. In other embodiments, the transverse hinged closure purposelyprovides compressive forces on the deformable intraocular lens loadedinto the lens delivery passageway when the transverse hinged closure isfully closed.

In other embodiments, the transverse hinged closure does not seal thelens delivery passageway, but instead is used to fold the lens into thelens delivery passageway when the transverse hinged closure is beingclosed. If the deformable intraocular lens is sufficiently folded andcaptured inside the lens delivery passageway, the deformable intraocularlens can be advanced past the location of the transverse hinged closure,for example by the plunger tip, to a forward portion of the lensinjecting apparatus. The forward portion of the lens injecting apparatuscan have a completely closed lens delivery passageway portion having aninwardly tapering or lens folding configuration providing radiallyinwardly directed compressive forces to be exerted onto the deformableintraocular lens by the inner walls of the lens delivery passageway asthe deformable intraocular lens is being advanced therethrough.

The transverse hinged closure is preferably arranged to stay closed whenshut, and more preferably positively locks when shut (e.g. releasablylocks to allow reopening for inspection of lens or reuse of lensinjecting apparatus, or permanently locks preventing reopening andreuse). In some preferred embodiments, the inner surface of thetransverse hinged closure serves as an inner wall of the lens deliverypassageway, preferably contiguous with remaining inner wall portions ofthe lens injecting apparatus. Further, the inner surface of thetransverse hinged closure can be contoured (e.g. provided with at leastone groove, protrusion, or complex contoured surface design) tofacilitate folding of the deformable intraocular lens when closing thetransverse hinged closure and/or when advancing the deformableintraocular lens through the lens delivery passageway.

In the preferred two (2) piece or component arrangement, the transversehinged lens cartridge is held closed once inserted into the lensreceiver of the lens injecting device. For example, a cylindricalportion of the housing of the lens injecting device serves as a lenscartridge receiver, and the band strength of the cylindrical portionmaintains the transverse hinged lens cartridge closed when the lenscartridge is inserted into the lens cartridge receiver.

In one preferred embodiment, the transverse hinged closure includes aprotrusion for forcing the center of the deformable intraocular lensdownwardly while the ends of the lens are held by sides of an openingthrough the side of the housing to cause the deformable intraocular lensto fold into the lens delivery passageway as the transverse hingedclosure is being closed.

In another preferred embodiment, the deformable intraocular lensinjecting apparatus includes a lens injecting device and a lenscartridge receiver. The lens cartridge of the present invention has alens holding portion connected to a nozzle portion. Together, the lensholding portion and the nozzle portion define a lens deliverypassageway, through which a deformable intraocular lens is introduced tothe capsule of the eye. The longitudinal axis of the lens cartridge issubstantially parallel to the lens delivery passageway.

The lens holding portion of the lens cartridge of the present inventionincludes a movable wall portion which is movably connected to astationary wall portion. The movable wall portion moves about an axiswhich is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lens cartridge. Inthe most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the movable wallportion swings about a transverse hinge which connects the movable wallportion to the stationary wall portion. The transverse hinge isconfigured in the most preferred embodiment so that there exists a planenormal to the axis of the transverse hinge which contains thelongitudinal axis of the lens cartridge.

The lens cartridge of the present invention also includes means forreleasably locking the lens cartridge in the lens injecting device. Inthe most preferred embodiment of the present invention, an extension isincluded on the lens holding portion of the lens cartridge. Theextension engages an L-shaped slot in the lens injecting device toreleasably lock the lens cartridge therein.

In use, the stationary wall portion of the lens cartridge is grasped ina first hand of the user. With a second hand, the user opens the lenscartridge by pushing the movable wall portion about the transverse hingeto expose a substantial portion of the lens delivery passageway of thelens cartridge. While the lens cartridge is in an open configuration, adeformable intraocular lens is placed on the exposed lens deliverypassageway. The user then closes the movable wall portion to completethe loading of the lens in the lens cartridge. The lens cartridge isthen ready for assembly with the lens injecting device. Grasping thelens cartridge in the first hand and the lens injecting device in thesecond hand, the extension of the lens cartridge is aligned with theL-shaped slot in the lens injecting device. The lens cartridge is thenguided into slot in the lens injecting device to releasably lock thelens cartridge therein.

Thus, the user of the lens injecting apparatus of the present inventionmay more easily load a deformable intraocular lens into the lenscartridge. Further, the user may more easily assemble the lens cartridgewith the lens injecting device. In short, the deformable intraocularlens implantation procedure is improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a deformable intraocular lens injectingapparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a side elevational view of a first preferred embodiment of alens cartridge according to the present invention in a closedconfiguration.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of at the lens cartridge shown in FIG.2A.

FIG. 3A is a side elevational view of the lens cartridge shown in FIG.2A in an open configuration.

FIG. 3B is a rear end elevational view of the lens cartridge shown inFIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lens cartridge as indicated inFIG. 2A loaded with a partially folded deformable intraocular lens.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lens injectingapparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lens cartridgeshown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second preferredembodiment of the lens cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a third preferredembodiment of the lens cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 9A is a transverse cross-sectional view of the lens cartridge, asindicated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9B is a transverse cross-sectional view of the lens cartridge, asindicated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9C is a transverse cross-sectional view of the lens cartridge, asindicated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9D is a transverse cross-sectional view of the lens cartridge, asindicated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a fourth preferredembodiment of the lens cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the lens cartridge, asindicated in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a fifth preferredembodiment of the lens cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the lens cartridge, asindicated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a rear end elevational view of the lens cartridge shown inFIG. 12 with a deformable intraocular lens in a flat configuration readyto be loaded into the lens cartridge.

FIG. 15 is a rear end elevational view of the lens cartridge shown inFIG. 12 with a deformable intraocular lens in a partially foldedconfiguration partially loaded into the lens cartridge.

FIG. 16 is a side longitudinal cross-sectional view of a sixth preferredlens cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the lens cartridge, asindicated in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of a seventh preferred embodiment ofthe lens cartridge according to the present invention in a closedconfiguration.

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the seventh preferred embodimentof the lens cartridge according to the present invention in an openconfiguration.

FIG. 20 is a further embodiment of the lens cartridge of the presentinvention showing the positioning of a lens prior to loading thecartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred deformable intraocular lens injecting apparatus 10 accordingto the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 6.

The lens injecting apparatus 10 comprises two (2) separate maincomponents including 1) a lens injecting device 12; and 2) a lenscartridge 14. The lens injecting apparatus 10 is shown fully assembledin FIG. 1 with the lens cartridge 14 connected to the lens injectingdevice 12.

The lens injecting device 12 comprises a lens cartridge receiver 16 forreceiving the lens cartridge 14 when assembled, and a movable plunger 18for forcing a deformable intraocular lens through the lens cartridge 14into the eye during the implantation operation.

The lens injecting apparatus comprises a tubular body 20 slidablyaccommodating the movable plunger 18. The tubular body 20 is providedwith a cone-shaped portion 22 defining the lens cartridge receiver 16.Specifically, the cone-shaped portion 22 is provided with a cylindricalround hole in the end thereof defining a cylindrical-shaped sleeve foraccommodating a portion of the lens cartridge 14. The cone-shapedportion 22 is also provided with a longitudinal slot 24 extending into atransverse slot 26 defining a “bayonet” type connection between the lenscartridge 14 and the lens injecting device 12.

The lens injecting device 12 is also provided with a finger grip 28allowing a user to grip the lens injecting device 12 between the forefinger and middle finger, and the plunger 18 is provided with a thumbgrip 30. The plunger 18 is provided with a spring 31 (FIG. 5) locatedinside the tubular body 30 and mounted on the plunger 18 of the lensinjecting device 12 so that a user pushes the plunger 18 forward againstan opposite spring force provided by the spring 31 when gripping thefinger grip 28 with the fore finger and middle finger and pressing thethumb grip 30 with the user's thumb.

A first preferred lens cartridge 14 is shown in the closed configurationin FIGS. 2A and 2B and in the open configuration in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Adetailed longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lens cartridge 14 isshown in FIG. 6.

The lens cartridge 14 comprises a lens holding portion 32 connected to anozzle portion 34. Preferably, the lens cartridge 14 is a one-piececonstruction, for example, made by plastic injection molding withautoclavable plastic (e.g. polyethylene). However, the lens holdingportion 32 and nozzle portion 34 can be made as separate components andassembled together.

The lens cartridge 14 includes an extension 36 set substantiallyperpendicular relative to a longitudinal axes of the lens cartridge 14for cooperating with the transverse slot 26 in the cone-shaped portion22. When loading the lens cartridge 14 into the lens cartridge receiver16 of the cone-shaped portion 22, the extension 26 is directed into thelongitudinal slot 24. The lens cartridge 14 is rotated relative to thelens injecting device 12 so that the extension 26 is then directed intothe transverse slot 26 providing a locking “bayonet” type connectionbetween the lens injecting device 12 and lens cartridge 14. Thisconnection arrangement ensures no relative movement between the lensinjecting device 12 and the lens cartridge 14 during use of the lensinjecting apparatus 10.

The lens cartridge 14 is configured to open and close for loading thedeformable intraocular lens into a lens delivery passageway through thelens cartridge 14. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lensholding portion 32 includes a stationary wall portion 38 connected to amovable wall portion 40 by a transverse hinge 42. The hinge 42 isconsidered “transverse”, since the hinge axis is substantiallyperpendicular or transverse relative to a longitudinal axes of the lenscartridge 14.

The lens cartridge 14 is provided with a lens delivery passageway 44extending through the lens holding portion 32 into the nozzle portion34. The back end 46 of the lens cartridge 14 is provided with an opening48 serving as an entrance (e.g. for plunger tip) into the lens deliverypassageway 44, and the front end 50 of the lens cartridge 14 is providedwith an opening 52 at nozzle tip 50 serving as an exit (e.g. fordeformable intraocular lens) from the lens delivery passageway 44.

The movable wall portion 40 is provided with a protrusion 56 extendinginwardly into the lens delivery passageway 44. The protrusion 56 is usedto fold a center portion of the deformable intraocular lens into thelens delivery passageway 44 when closing the movable wall portion 40.Specifically, a deformable intraocular lens L (e.g. plate type IOL orthree piece type) can be loaded into the lens cartridge 14 bypositioning a deformable intraocular lens in a flat configuration sothat opposite edge portions of the deformable intraocular lens rest onthe open edges 58 of the stationary wall portion 38, as shown in FIG.3A.

When the movable wall portion 40 is being closed (e.g. by user pressingdown on movable wall portion 40 with index finger while supportingstationary wall portion 38 between thumb and fore finger of other hand),the inwardly extending protrusion 56 makes contact with a center portionof the deformable intraocular lens L. As the movable wall portion 40 isfurther closed, the protrusion 56 forces the center portion of thedeformable intraocular lens L downwardly into the lens deliverypassageway 44. When the deformable intraocular lens L is fully loadedinto the lens delivery passageway, the deformable intraocular lens isfolded or bent and in contact with the inner surface of the stationarywall portion 38 (FIG. 4) while opposite edges of the deformableintraocular lens L fold upwardly into opposite grooves 60 provided inthe inner surface of the movable wall portion 40.

The hinge 42 is a “live” type hinge molded in the plastic lens cartridge14 so that the wall thickness decreases to allow bending. Preferably,the wall is thinned from the outside surface of the lens cartridge 14 sothat the dimensions of the lens delivery passageway 44 are accuratelymaintained to prevent any edge that could potentially scrape orotherwise damage the surface of the deformable intraocular lens, inparticular the optic portion, when advancing the deformable intraocularlens through the lens delivery passageway 44. Alternatively, the movablewall portion 40 and the remaining portion of the lens cartridge areseparate components assembly together along a hinge (e.g. snap-fitinterlocking members or hinge pin designs).

In the first embodiment of the lens cartridge 14 shown in FIG. 6, thegrooves 60 extend only along the length of the movable wall portion 40.However, the grooves 60 can be extended forward further along lensdelivery passageway 44 extending through the lens holding portion 32, orextended even further into the lens delivery passageway of the nozzleportion 34. Further, a single rifled groove (i.e. spiral configuration)can be substituted for the pair of grooves 60 to cause one end of thelens to continue to fold around the remaining portion of the lens tomore tightly wrap the deformable intraocular lens as it is advancedthrough the lens delivery passageway.

The protrusion 56 shown in FIG. 6 tapers downwardly in the direction ofthe advancing deformable intraocular lens. Alternatively, the protrusion56 can be modified so as to not taper, or taper in the oppositedirection. In addition, the shape of the lower surface of the protrusion56 can be curvilinear (e.g. concave, convex) continuous, discontinuous,or a combination of shapes, as opposed to being a linear ramp-shapedstructure shown in FIG. 6.

The deformable intraocular lens L is loaded into the lens cartridge 14by positioning the deformable intraocular lens L, as shown in FIG. 3A.Specifically, the deformable intraocular lens L bridges and rests on theedges 58 (FIG. 3B). The user then forces the movable wall portion 40downwardly while holding the remaining portion of the lens cartridge 14so that the protrusion 56 forces the center of the deformableintraocular lens L downwardly causing the deformable intraocular lens Lto fold along its center into the lens delivery passageway 44. The lenscartridge 14 is then loaded into the lens cartridge receiver 16 of thelens injecting device 12 by aligning the extension 36 of the lenscartridge 14 with the longitudinal slot 24 of the lens injecting device12. The lens cartridge 12 is force rearwardly, and then rotated to lockthe extension 36 into the transverse slot 24.

A second preferred embodiment of the lens cartridge according to thepresent invention is shown in FIG. 7.

The lens cartridge 14′ is provided with a hinge located forward of theextension 36′, as opposed to being located behind the extension 36 inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 6. This configuration allows a user to gripthe extension 36′ between the thumb and finger of one hand to facilitateopening the movable wall portion 40′. Optionally, the lens cartridge 14′can also be provided with an additional extension 36′ below tofacilitate gripping the lens cartridge 14′ during opening and closing.Further, the additional extension 36′ provides added stability when thelens cartridge 14′ is loaded into the lens injecting device 12.

A third embodiment of the lens cartridge 14″ is shown in FIG. 8.

The lens cartridge 14″ is provided with a pair of grooves 60″ (See FIG.2B) extending along the lens delivery passageway 44″ in both the lensholding portion 32″ and the nozzle portion 34″ (See FIGS. 9A to 9B). Thepair of grooves 60″ terminate at a position in the nozzle portion 34″,however, the pair of grooves 60″ can extend further forward andterminate all the way at the nozzle tip 54″. Further, the protrusion 56″is shown as having a substantially constant depth along its lengthexcept for tapering into the lens delivery passageway 44″ in the nozzleportion 34″ at the front end of the protrusion 56″. Alternatively, theprotrusion 56″ can taper linearly or curvilinearly in depth in eitherdirection of the lens delivery passageway 44″ in other designs.

A fourth embodiment of the lens cartridge 114 is shown in FIGS. 10 and11.

The lens cartridge 114 is provided with a movable wall portion 140having a flat plate-like arrangement with a protrusion 156 extendinginwardly into the lens delivery passageway 144. The flat plate-likearrangement allows for a wider hinge connection improving strength andopening stability verses the more point-like hinge connection of theembodiment shown in FIG. 3B. Further, the pair of grooves 160 areprovided in the stationary wall portion 138 as opposed to the movablewall portion 40 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B. In addition, themovable wall portion 140 is provided with an indent 141 at its free endto provide a catch to facilitate opening the lens cartridge 114.

A fifth preferred embodiment of the lens cartridge 114′ is shown inFIGS. 12 to 15.

The lens cartridge 114′ is provided with a movable wall portion definedby a hinged cantilever member 156′ for inserting the deformableintraocular lens into the lens delivery passageway 144′. In thisembodiment, even with the cantilever member 156′ closed, the lensdelivery passageway 144′ through the lens holding portion 132′ remainspartially open due to the pair of slots 161′ located on either sides ofthe cantilever member 156′ (See FIG. 13). The cantilever member 156′ isprovided with an extended tip 157′ to facilitate lifting the cantilevermember 156′ for loading the deformable intraocular lens. In analternative embodiment, the cantilever member 156′ is not hinged, thus,relying on its resilience to bend along its length to provide ahinge-like action for loading the deformable intraocular lens.

A sixth preferred embodiment of the lens cartridge according to thepresent invention is shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.

The lens cartridge 214 is configured for loading a deformableintraocular lens L in a flat configuration, as shown in FIG. 17. This isaccomplished by providing an oval-shaped lens delivery passageway in thelens holding portion 232. The movable wall portion 240 is provided witha non-contoured essentially flat inner top wall 261 (i.e. no pair ofgrooves). Alternatively, the inner wall of the movable wall portion 261can be provided with some surface contouring to begin folding the flatloaded lens when closing the movable wall portion 261.

In this embodiment the forward end of the lens holding portion 232 andpart of the nozzle portion 234 are provided with a ramp-shapedprotrusion 256 dividing a pair of grooves in front of the movable wallportion 240 to facilitate folding of the deformable intraocular lens asit is advanced forward.

A seventh embodiment of the lens cartridge according to the presentinvention is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.

The lens cartridge 315 is provided with an upper movable wall portion340 a and a lower movable wall portion 340 b. The upper movable wallportion 340 a is connected to a remaining portion of the lens holdingportion 332 by hinge 342 a, and the lower movable wall portion 340 b isconnected to the remaining portion of the lens holding portion by hinge342 b. Thus, this is a double-hinge type design with no stationary wallportion characteristic of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

What is claim is:
 1. A cartridge for holding a deformable intraocularlens, the cartridge configured for removable coupling to an injectingapparatus, comprising: a lens holding portion having a first end havingcoupling means for coupling to the injecting apparatus and a second endconnected to a nozzle portion, said lens cartridge having a lensdelivery passageway extending through said lens holding portion intosaid nozzle portion, said lens holding portion including a stationarywall portion and a movable wall portion, said movable wall portion isconnected to said stationary wall portion by a transverse hinge orientedsubstantially perpendicular relative to said lens delivery passagewayand configured to allow the lens holding portion to be opened to loadthe deformable intraocular lens into the stationary wall portion andthen closed to enclose the deformable intraocular lens inside the lensdelivery passage way; wherein said lens delivery passageway is contouredfor folding or further folding the deformable intraocular lens when thedeformable intraocular lens is being advanced through the lens deliverypassageway; and said lens delivery passageway includes at least onegroove.
 2. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said transversehinge is a live hinge.
 3. A cartridge according to claim 2, wherein saidtransverse hinge is a multiple component hinge.
 4. A cartridge accordingto claim 1, wherein said lens holding portion is tubular.
 5. A cartridgeaccording to claim 4, wherein said stationary wall portion is locatedalong a bottom portion of said lens cartridge and said movable wallportion is located along a top portion of said lens cartridge allowingthe deformable intraocular lens to be cradled by said stationary wallportion when loaded in said lens holding portion and then covered bysaid movable wall portion.
 6. A cartridge according to claim 5, whereinsaid movable wall portion is a smaller circumferential segment and saidstationary wall portion is a larger circumferential segment of saidtubular lens holding portion.
 7. A cartridge according to claim 4,wherein said movable wall portion is a smaller circumferential segmentand said stationary wall portion is a larger circumferential segment ofsaid tubular lens holding portion.
 8. A cartridge according to claim 4,wherein said movable wall portion includes a movable end and a hingedend.
 9. A cartridge according to claim 8, wherein said movable end ofsaid movable wall portion is positioned at a back end of said lenscartridge and said transverse hinge is located forward of said back endof said lens cartridge to allow the lens holding portion to be open fromsaid back end of said lens cartridge.
 10. A cartridge according to claim9, wherein said movable wall portion tapers inwardly along a width ofsaid movable wall portion from a free end of said movable wall portiontowards said transverse hinge.
 11. A cartridge according to claim 10,wherein longitudinal edges of said movable wall portion are linear. 12.A cartridge to claim 10, wherein longitudinal edges of said movable wallportion are curvilinear.
 13. A cartridge according to claim 12, whereinsaid curvilinear edges are arc-shaped segments extending outwardly alongthe lengths of said curvilinear edges.
 14. A cartridge according toclaim 1, wherein said movable wall portion includes a movable end and ahinged end.
 15. A cartridge according to claim 4, wherein said movableend of said movable wall portion is positioned at a back end of saidlens cartridge and said transverse hinge is located forward of said backend of said lens cartridge to allow the lens holding portion to be openfrom said back end of said lens cartridge.
 16. A cartridge according toclaim 1, wherein said movable wall portion tapers inwardly along a widthof said movable wall portion from a free end of said movable wallportion towards said transverse hinge.
 17. A cartridge according toclaim 1, wherein said movable wall portion releasably locks with saidstationary wall portion when closed.
 18. A cartridge according to claim1, wherein said movable wall portion substantially permanently lockswith said stationary wall portion when closed.
 19. A cartridge accordingto claim 1, wherein said lens delivery passageway includes a pair ofgrooves separated by an inwardly extending protrusion.
 20. A cartridgeaccording to claim 19, wherein said grooves taper inwardly inside thelens delivery passageway in a direction of advancing the deformableintraocular lens.
 21. A cartridge according to claim 20, wherein saidgrooves exist in only a portion of the lens delivery passagewayextending through said lens holding portion of said lens cartridge. 22.A cartridge according to claim 20, wherein said grooves exist in thelens delivery passageway through said lens holding portion and extendinto said nozzle portion of said lens cartridge.
 23. A cartridgeaccording to claim 19, wherein said pair of grooves are located in theinner surface of the movable wall portion.
 24. A cartridge according toclaim 19, wherein said pair of grooves are located in the inner surfaceof the stationary wall portion.
 25. A cartridge according to claim 1,wherein said lens delivery passageway tapers inwardly reducingcross-sectional dimensions of said lens delivery passageway in adirection of advancing the deformable intraocular lens.
 26. A cartridgeaccording to claim 1, further including a lens injecting deviceincluding a lens cartridge receiver and a movable plunger.
 27. Acartridge according to claim 1, wherein said movable wall portion isconfigured for at least partially folding the deformable intraocularlens when closing.
 28. A cartridge according to claim 27, wherein saidmovable wall portion includes a protrusion extending inwardly into saidlens delivery passageway.
 29. A cartridge according to claim 28, whereinsaid movable wall portion is configured for forcing a center portion ofthe deformable intraocular lens inwardly into said lens deliverypassageway to fold the lens into the lens delivery passageway.
 30. Acartridge according to claim 29, wherein said lens cartridge isconfigured so that opposite edges of the deformable intraocular lens aresupported by edges of the stationary wall portion while said inwardlyextending protrusion of the movable wall portions acts on the center ofthe deformable intraocular lens when closing the movable wall portionfor effectively folding the deformable intraocular lens into the lensdelivery passageway.
 31. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein atleast a portion of the lens delivery pathway has an asymmetrictransverse cross-section.
 32. A deformable intraocular lens injectingapparatus, comprising: a lens cartridge including a lens holding portionconnected to a nozzle portion, said lens cartridge having a lensdelivery passageway extending through said lens holding portion intosaid nozzle portion, said lens holding portion including a stationarywall portion and a movable wall portion, said movable wall portion isconnected to said stationary wall portion by a transverse hinge orientedsubstantially perpendicular relative to said lens delivery passagewayand configured to allow the lens holding portion to be opened to loadthe deformable intraocular lens into the stationary wall portion andthen closed to enclose the deformable intraocular lens inside the lensdelivery passage way; wherein said lens delivery passageway is contouredfor folding or further folding the deformable intraocular lens when thedeformable intraocular lens is being advanced through the lens deliverypassageway and said lens delivery passageway includes a pair of groovesseparated by an inwardly extending protrusion and the pair of groovesare located in the inner surface of the movable wall portion.
 33. Adeformable intraocular lens injecting apparatus, comprising: a lenscartridge including a lens holding portion connected to a nozzleportion, said lens cartridge having a lens delivery passageway extendingthrough said lens holding portion into said nozzle portion, said lensholding portion including a stationary wall portion and a movable wallportion, said movable wall portion is connected to said stationary wallportion by a transverse hinge oriented substantially perpendicularrelative to said lens delivery passageway and configured to allow thelens holding portion to be opened to load the deformable intraocularlens into the stationary wall portion and then closed to enclose thedeformable intraocular lens inside the lens delivery passage way;wherein said lens delivery passageway is contoured for folding orfurther folding the deformable intraocular lens when the deformableintraocular lens is being advanced through the lens delivery passagewayand said lens delivery passageway includes at least one groove; andfurther including a lens injecting device including a lens cartridgereceiver for coupling to the lens cartridge and a movable plunger.
 34. Adeformable intraocular lens injecting apparatus, comprising: a lenscartridge including a lens holding portion connected to a nozzleportion, said lens cartridge having a lens delivery passageway extendingthrough said lens holding portion into said nozzle portion, said lensholding portion including a stationary wall portion and a movable wallportion, said movable wall portion is connected to said stationary wallportion by a transverse hinge oriented substantially perpendicularrelative to said lens delivery passageway and configured to allow thelens holding portion to be opened to load the deformable intraocularlens into the stationary wall portion and then closed to enclose thedeformable intraocular lens inside the lens delivery passage way;wherein said lens delivery passageway is contoured for folding orfurther folding the deformable intraocular lens when the deformableintraocular lens is being advanced through the lens delivery passagewayand said lens delivery passageway includes at least one groove andwherein said movable wall portion is configured for at least partiallyfolding the deformable intraocular lens when closing, said movable wallalso including a protrusion extending inwardly into said lens deliverypassageway.
 35. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said movablewall portion is configured for forcing a center portion of thedeformable intraocular lens inwardly into said lens delivery passagewayto fold the lens into the lens delivery passage way.
 36. An apparatusaccording to claim 35, wherein said lens cartridge is configured so thatopposite edges of the deformable intraocular lens are supported by edgesof the stationary wall portion while said inwardly extending protrusionof the movable wall portion acts on the center of the deformableintraocular lens when closing the movable wall portion for effectivelyfolding the deformable intraocular lens into the lens deliverypassageway.